As the industry with the largest number of HCFC applications in China, the phase-out HCFC phase-out plan for the first phase of the polyurethane foam industry has now been basically completed, and acceptance of all project companies will be completed within the year. So, what is the Phase II phase-out plan for the industry? What are the promotion policies and technical support? , The Polyurethane Products Special Committee of the China Plastics Processing Industry Association held the 2018 Polyurethane Polyurethane Foam Industry Development Forum held in Guilin to discuss the above issues.
The polyurethane foam industry mainly uses HCFC-141b (fluorodichloroethane) as blowing agent. According to the consensus reached by the 2007 meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, China will complete HCFC production and consumption of all manufacturing industries by 2030 Obsolete.
Sun Bo, Division III of the Environmental Protection External Cooperation Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, said that at present, the phase-out HCFC phase-out plan for the first phase of the polyurethane foam industry has basically ended. The main choice of cyclopentane and all-water foam technology to replace HCFC-141b has been phased out. There were 57 contracts and 12,956 tons of HCFC-141b were phased out. Among them, 17 enterprises chose full-water foaming technology, and 40 companies chose cyclopentane foaming technology. As of now, 36 projects have been completed and accepted, and all projects will be completed within the year. acceptance.
It is understood that in December 2016, the phase-out of the second phase of the HCFC phase-out plan for the polyurethane foam industry was approved, and an action guide for the phase-out of HCFCs across the industry was established. This plan integrates the national compliance targets, the status of the polyurethane foam industry in China, and the maturity of alternative technologies. Accelerated, phased elimination strategy - 30% reduction in 2018, 45% reduction in 2020, complete elimination in 2026.
As the world's largest producer, exporter and user of HCFCs, China's follow-up phase-out work still faces many challenges. 'This requires relevant departments and industries to take active actions from alternative retrofit projects, technology research and promotion, policy and regulation formulation, and phase-out of results monitoring. The full range of participation, to ensure the fulfillment of the target of fulfilling the contract, to promote the technical level of industrial enterprises and sustainable development of green. 'Sun Bo said.
Sun Bo said that the Phase II phase-out plan will draw on the implementation policies and management measures of the first phase, and sign the HCFC phase-out contract with polyurethane foam enterprises that meet the requirements through public solicitation and expert review, and support them through Multilateral Fund grants. To carry out the necessary equipment and safety renovations, use zero ODP (ozone depletion potential), low GWP (global warming potential) technology to replace HCFC-141b foaming agent. At the same time, innovative project implementation model, through the distribution of tickets to the upstream and downstream industries , Funding for the transformation of standard foaming equipment for SMEs and procurement of raw materials.
Sun Bo said that the phase-out plan for phase-out of HCFCs for polyurethane foams will introduce a series of policy measures, including progress in the implementation of industry plans, policy evaluations, and the timely issuance of a ban on the prohibition of the use of HCFC as a foaming agent in the polyurethane foam industry; Publish HCFC alternative technology guidelines, alternatives recommended catalogue, and combine the future development of alternative technologies, update the recommended catalogs in due course, assess industry technical standards, sort out different requirements for foam product performance in different application areas, test methods, etc. The related standards were revised and formulated; the local environmental protection department strengthened the record management and daily supervision of HCFC use, sales, and increased inspection enforcement.
In addition, during the implementation of the phase-out plan, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment’s External Cooperation Center will design and carry out various forms of technical assistance activities to provide technical support for the smooth implementation of HCFC phase-out, regular assessment of alternative technology development, and alternative technologies. Conduct further optimization studies, including research on raw material system formulas, production processes, and equipment, provide technical guidance for SMEs, and promote their technological transformation.
Cao Yu, vice chairman of the China Plastics Processing Industry Association, told reporters that the application of polyurethane rigid foam has been affected by the immature replacement technology of HCFC-141b. The China Plastics Association will actively cooperate with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment to ensure the smooth implementation of the HCFC consumption phase-out target. Encourage enterprises to carry out phase-out activities and adopt climate-friendly alternative technologies; encourage the promotion of appropriate alternative technologies, promote the development and promotion of appropriate technologies, and ensure that the development of related industries is not affected.
At the meeting, several experts introduced the latest developments in HCFC alternative technologies such as cyclopentane foaming and new CO2-assisted foaming spraying. Among them, Bi Yuxin, a professor at Shandong University of Technology, publicized Shandong University of Technology and Butian New Materials for the first time. The molecular structure and application effect of the new chemical foaming agent jointly developed by the company.
According to Bi Yuxi, the new chemical foaming agent has the characteristics of safety, environmental protection, no VOC emissions, ODP is 0, GWP is 1. At present, the new foaming agent has been in the cold storage, construction, pipeline spraying, household appliances, door industry, insulation plate Successfully applied in other fields, completely replace the foam material containing chlorofluorocarbon physical foaming agent, and the key technical indicators such as thermal insulation performance and dimensional stability meet the application requirements.